What to Expect at the 9 Month Check Up
For first time mothers these check ups can be confusing and you may not know what to be looking for before you arrive. By now you should have the routine down of what to do and when things will happen during appointments. If you’re not familiar with these routines and it is your first check up, please refer to the What to Expect at the 2, 4 and 6 month check up articles.
This check up is a little different because it comes not two, but three months after the previous one. Don’t worry as this is the typical standard for most first year check ups. At this point in the first year of your baby’s life, you may have already experienced a fever and/or ear infections. If not, it is something you should ask your doctor about along with any other illnesses that are common in your area. They can tell you how to treat it and how long to wait before bringing your child in and if you’ll need prescription or over the counter medication.
As before, the doctor will inquire as to how the baby reacts to things, sees objects and if they are sitting up on their own or crawling yet. Questions about how your child reacts to sounds will also be brought up and even if your child is saying any words or babbling. The doctor will also talk to you about how your child is eating. You should start to see if your child can handle a sippy cup and some finger foods. But, watch her! You don’t want your little one choking on anything.
How to remedy sleeping problems was discussed in the 6 month check up article, but if you’re still having problems you should bring them up to your doctor. Perhaps they have other ways of getting your child to sleep through the night – so you can too! Your doctor may also want to know what kind of games and play time you have with your child. It will show the doctor how the brain, vision and hearing are all developing.
One question you may not expect, but not all doctors will ask, is how does the baby act around strangers? This may tell you whether or not they are experiencing separation anxiety or if they are just one of those happy-go-lucky kids! Also discussed will be baby proofing your home if you haven’t already. I’m going to give you the same advice my mother gave me: crawl around on all fours everywhere in your home and find every danger and get it out of the way or cover it up or stick a gate in the entrance to a room that isn’t able to be baby proofed. Baby proofing your home is very important and must be done when that first sign of crawling shows up.
Overall, the check ups will get easier and easier and by now you should be on the ball with what do to and this article should help you know what to look for before you arrive at the 9 month check up.
